:Viva la Vida

The song's Spanish title, "Viva la Vida", is taken from a painting by 20th-century Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. In Spanish, {{lang|es|viva}} translates to "long live",{{cite web|title=Vivar {{!}} Definición {{!}} Diccionario de la Lengua Española {{!}} RAE - ASALE|url=http://lema.rae.es/drae/?val=vivar|access-date=10 April 2014}} so "Long Live Life" is an accurate translation and the painting reflects the artistic irony of acclaiming life while suffering physically.{{cite web|title=Viva la Vida, 1954 by Frida Kahlo|url=http://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/Viva-la-Vida,-1954.html|access-date=10 April 2014|archive-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612004422/http://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/Viva-la-Vida,-1954.html|url-status=dead}} When asked about the album's title, referring to Frida Kahlo's strength, enduring polio, a broken spine, and a decade of chronic pain, lead singer Chris Martin said: "She went through a lot of pain, of course, and then she started a big painting in her house that said 'Viva la Vida', I just loved the boldness of it."{{cite web |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rolling-stone-exclusive-coldplays-new-album-title-revealed-20080318 |title=Coldplay's New Album Title Revealed; RollingStone |work=rollingstone.com |access-date=16 June 2012|date=18 March 2008 }}

During the album's production, "Viva la Vida" was one of the songs that had polarised each member's opinion over which version they should choose. In an interview, Martin recalled: "We did quite a few different versions and went round the houses a bit and eventually settled on those treatments for it."{{cite web|url=http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music/artists/coldplay/article/3345.html|title=Viva la Vida interview: Full transcript|publisher=Absoluteradio.co.uk|access-date=9 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204195406/http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music/artists/coldplay/article/3345.html|archive-date=4 February 2009}}

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| quote = "Viva la Vida" soars in with a grandiose instrumental arrangement and sweeping lyrics detailing the pain of being deposed from a lofty position. The big sound of the song constantly verges on becoming overblown, but Coldplay knows how to walk the tightrope perfectly. Bells and chimes and orchestral swells are all there on the chorus, but Chris Martin's voice still pierces through like a clarion call. Lyrically, the pain of the protagonist is clear, but the sweep of words about Jerusalem bells, Roman cavalry, and Saint Peter give "Viva la Vida" an air of intelligence rare in today's most popular pop songs.

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| source = About.com.{{cite web |last1=Lamb |first1=Bill |title=Coldplay – "Viva la Vida" |url=http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/vivalavida.htm |website=About.com |access-date=September 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123224600/http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/vivalavida.htm |archive-date=January 23, 2016 |url-status=deviated}}

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The lyrics to "Viva la Vida" are narrated by a protagonist who says he "used to rule the world". Martin has explained the song lyric "I know Saint Peter won't call my name" in an interview with Q magazine: "It's about ... You're not on the list" to enter the pearly gates.{{cite news|first=Ian|last=Youngs|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7439967.stm|title=Joining Coldplay's musical journey|access-date=25 June 2008|date=6 June 2008|publisher=BBC}} When asked about the song, bass guitarist Guy Berryman said: "It's a story about a king who's lost his kingdom, and all the album's artwork is based on the idea of revolutionaries and guerrillas. There's this slightly anti-authoritarian viewpoint that's crept into some of the lyrics and it's some of the pay-off between being surrounded by governments on one side, but also we're human beings with emotions and we're all going to die and the stupidity of what we have to put up with every day. Hence the album title."{{cite web|url=http://news.q4music.com/2008/05/coldplay_viva_la_vida_2.html|title=Coldplay: Viva la Vida|access-date=1 June 2008|work=The Q Daily}}

The song is written in the key of F minor. Its main chord progression is D{{flat}}₅/E{{flat}}₇/A{{flat}}/Fm. The time signature is {{music|time|4|4}} and the tempo is 138 beats per minute. Unlike the then-typical arrangement of Coldplay songs, in which either the guitar or piano is the prominent instrument, the track mostly consists of a string section and a digital piano playing the song's upbeat riff, along with a steady bass drum beat, percussion (including a timpano and a church bell), bass guitar, and Martin's vocals; there is limited use of electric guitar. All the strings are arranged and conducted by violinist Davide Rossi, who is one of the main collaborators of the album. Rossi's strings comprise the main driving force throughout the song, with a strong beginning loop that supports Martin's voice, until the choruses where the symphonic power of the orchestra takes its fullest shape. The prominent chords played by the string section throughout the song (and in the chorus of "Rainy Day", another of the band's songs) are very similar to those used by "Viva la Vida" co-producer Brian Eno in his piece "An Ending (Ascent)", meaning they could have been suggested partially for the song by Eno.{{cite AV media notes|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|author=Coldplay|year=2008|publisher=EMI|location=United Kingdom}}

File:Will Champion - Viva la Vida tour.jpg and church bell used in the song]]"Viva la Vida" was first made available on the iTunes Store on 7 May 2008.{{Cite web |date=7 May 2008 |title=New Coldplay – Viva la Vida |url=https://www.stereogum.com/9622/new_coldplay_viva_la_vida/news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505075220/https://www.stereogum.com/9622/new_coldplay_viva_la_vida/news/ |archive-date=5 May 2012 |access-date=7 April 2024 |website=Stereogum }} The song was part of the pre-order marketing for Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, which also included exclusive acoustic versions for "Lost!" and "Lovers in Japan".{{Cite web |date=9 May 2008 |title=iTunes Pre-Order |url=https://www.coldplay.com/itunes-pre-order/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407004423/https://www.coldplay.com/itunes-pre-order/ |archive-date=7 April 2024 |access-date=7 April 2024 |publisher=Coldplay}} On 25 May 2008, Coldplay released it for individual purchase globally.{{Cite web |date=25 May 2008 |title=Viva la Vida Track on iTunes |url=https://www.coldplay.com/viva-la-vida-track-on-itunes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407010207/https://www.coldplay.com/viva-la-vida-track-on-itunes/ |archive-date=7 April 2024 |access-date=7 April 2024 |publisher=Coldplay}} However, since the track was already being given away as a free download to those who had pre-ordered the album, it remained ineligible for the UK Singles Chart until 12 June 2008.{{Cite web |date=17 June 2008 |title=Coldplay Set for First Number One Single? |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-431-1327707 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407005548/https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-431-1327707 |archive-date=7 April 2024 |access-date=7 April 2024 |website=NME}}

• {{Cite web |date=7 June 2023 |title=Coldplay's Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends Turns 15 |url=https://albumism.com/features/coldplay-viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends-album-anniversary |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407022333/https://albumism.com/features/coldplay-viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends-album-anniversary |archive-date=7 April 2024 |access-date=7 April 2024 |website=Albumism}} Parlophone originally requested the band to not release "Viva la Vida", arguing it "did not sound like Coldplay", but drummer Will Champion insisted on the release.{{Cite web |date=3 February 2025 |time=6:42 to 7:54 |title=Radio 2's Piano Room: Coldplay – Chat & Full Set |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027h4h |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204014404/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027h4h |archive-date=4 February 2025 |access-date=4 February 2025 |website=BBC Sounds}}

It became the best-selling song of 2008 on iTunes and was used as part of Apple's iPod + iTunes advertisement campaign.{{cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/music/cdreviews/5840926.html|title=Coldplay channels U2 on new album|last=Guerra|first=Joey|date=16 June 2008|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=12 November 2008}}{{cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=2 December 2008 |title=Coldplay, Leona Lewis Top iTunes 2008 Sales Chart |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/12/02/coldplay-leona-lewis-top-itunes-2008-sales-chart/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204083347/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/12/02/coldplay-leona-lewis-top-itunes-2008-sales-chart/ |archive-date=4 December 2008 |access-date=10 December 2008 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} Coldplay first performed "Viva la Vida" live at the MTV Movie Awards.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/06/02/mtv-movie-awards-reunites-wayne-and-garth-honors-transformers/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605032914/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/06/02/mtv-movie-awards-reunites-wayne-and-garth-honors-transformers/|archive-date=5 June 2008|title=MTV Movie Awards Reunites Wayne and Garth, Features First TV Performance of New Coldplay Single|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=2 June 2008|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=12 November 2008}}{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jun01/0,4670,MTVMovieAwards,00.html|title=Over-the-top MTV Movie Awards have smoke, no fire|last=Lang|first=Derrick J.|date=1 June 2008|publisher=Fox News Channel|access-date=12 November 2008}} It has since gone on to make many media appearances, including being featured throughout the episode "A Person of Interest" from the paranormal drama Medium, as a song played on the radio in the episode "We're Not in Kansas Anymore" from the teen drama 90210,{{cite news|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/09/03/90210-premiere-how-does-it-compare-to-the-old-bev/|title='90210′ Premiere: How Does It Compare To The Old Bev?|last=Stolz|first=Kim|date=3 September 2008|publisher=MTV|access-date=12 November 2008|archive-date=27 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727135601/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/09/03/90210-premiere-how-does-it-compare-to-the-old-bev/|url-status=dead}} and on the international soundtrack to the Brazilian soap opera A Favorita which helped push the track up the charts in Brazil, where the telenovela had been shown.{{cite web | url =http://www.somlivre.com/?1430/produto/CD/A-favorita-Internacional/Varios---A-Favorita

| title =A Favorita Soundtrack | publisher = A Favorita International Soundtrack | year=2008 }}

In 2009, Solange Knowles covered "Viva la Vida".{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/promo-42778155-53-20090127-autoplay |title=Pepsi Music |publisher=Music.yahoo.com |access-date=29 August 2010}} Lady Gaga also covered it for BBC Radio 1.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uFRg2epy-w | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008190806/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uFRg2epy-w| archive-date=8 October 2014 |title=Broadcast Yourself |publisher=YouTube |access-date=29 August 2010}} Live versions have appeared on the 2009 live album LeftRightLeftRightLeft,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/05/01/coldplay-reward-fans-with-free-live-lp-leftrightleftrightleft/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503141948/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/05/01/coldplay-reward-fans-with-free-live-lp-leftrightleftrightleft/|archive-date=3 May 2009|title=Coldplay Reward Fans With Free Live LP "LeftRightLeftRightLeft"|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=1 May 2009|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=21 May 2009}} the 2012 album Live 2012, and the 2018 album Live in Buenos Aires. It was also used in "Million Dollar Maybe", an episode of The Simpsons. The song was covered in the seventh series of The X Factor by the boyband One Direction in 2010. In 2024, the season 2 finale of Pachinko ends with a cover by Rosé of the Korean pop group Blackpink.{{Cite web |last=Halterman |first=Jim |date=2024-10-11 |title='Pachinko' EP Soo Hugh on That Big Season 2 Finale Secret, Why Blackpink's Rosé Covered Coldplay and the Show's Uncertain Season 3 |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/pachinko-season-2-finale-soo-hugh-noa-father-blackpink-rose-coldplay-cover-1236174798/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

File:Coldplay - Viva La Vida Official Alternate Screenshot.jpg video]]

The official music video for "Viva la Vida" was directed by Hype Williams and premiered at Coldplay's official website on 1 August 2008, and was later released on 4 August 2008 on YouTube.{{cite web|url=http://www.coldplay.com/vivavideo1.php|title=Viva la Vida video 1|access-date=1 August 2008|publisher=Coldplay |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805011305/http://www.coldplay.com/vivavideo1.php|archive-date=5 August 2008}} The video depicts the band performing against a blurry, warped version of Eugène Delacroix's painting La Liberté guidant le peuple, ending with the band members crumbling into rose petals.{{Citation|last=Coldplay Official|title=Coldplay – Viva la Vida|date=4 August 2008|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE|access-date=11 October 2019}}

A second, alternate video was shot in The Hague, the Netherlands, directed by Anton Corbijn and released alongside the first.{{cite web|url=http://www.coldplay.com/vivavideo2.php|title=Viva la Vida video 2|access-date=11 November 2008|publisher=Coldplay |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081116040924/http://www.coldplay.com/vivavideo2.php|archive-date=16 November 2008}}{{Citation |title=Coldplay - Viva la Vida (Anton Corbijn Version) | date=30 November 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kVxpsi1XQ4 |access-date=2023-06-23 |language=en}} This second version is a tribute to Corbijn's video for Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" and portrays Chris Martin as the king from whose perspective the song is sung. During the video, he carries Delacroix's painting. At the end, he hangs the picture up in a white stall on top of a hill. As he sings the last chorus, his bandmates surface heading his way, tying in loose ends from the "Violet Hill" video.

File:Will Champion - Viva la Vida.jpg in 2009.|244x244px]]

"Viva la Vida" received widespread critical acclaim. In the Entertainment Weekly review of the album, critic Chris Willman wrote: "Take the title track ... on which [Martin] imagines himself as a paranoid monarch. 'Who would ever want to be king?' Martin asks. 'Revolutionaries wait/For my head on a silver plate!' The confident majesty of the music, however, belies how he and his bandmates have invigorated their rock-lite reign."{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2008/06/13/viva-la-vida/|title=Viva la Vida – Music Review|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=13 June 2008|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=11 November 2008|archive-date=29 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829223010/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20206310,00.html|url-status=live}} Josh Hathaway from The Plain Dealer noted "Viva la Vida" as the "catchiest" song on the album.{{cite news|url=http://blog.cleveland.com/musicreviews/2008/07/music_review_coldplay_viva_la.html|title=Coldplay – Viva la Vida – Music Reviews|last=Hathaway|first=Josh|date=15 July 2008|work=The Plain Dealer|access-date=11 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203194302/http://blog.cleveland.com/musicreviews/2008/07/music_review_coldplay_viva_la.html|archive-date=3 February 2009}} Chris Jones of the BBC noted: "The string/brass mutations that bolster a track like 'Viva la Vida' ... conjure tunes so sweetly melancholy."{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/2h54/|title=Coldplay – Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|last=Jones|first=Chris|date=12 June 2008|publisher=BBC|access-date=11 November 2008}} In the IGN review, critic Chad Grischow wrote, "It is their one and only foray into unabashed orchestral pop, but the punchy strut of the strings and fantastic marching vocals make it far too charming and lively to dislike, and even harder not to love."{{cite web|url=http://music.ign.com/articles/883/883028p1.html|title=IGN: Viva la Vida Review|last=Grischow|first=Chad|date=19 June 2008|website=IGN|access-date=12 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101021740/http://music.ign.com/articles/883/883028p1.html|archive-date=1 January 2009}}

"Viva la Vida" was nominated for "Record of the Year", and won "Song of the Year", and "Best Pop Performance by a Duo or a Group" at the 2009 Grammy Awards.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1600678/20081204/coldplay.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205130719/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1600678/20081204/coldplay.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 December 2008|title=Lil Wayne, Coldplay Lead Grammy Nominations|last=Harris|first=Chris|date=4 December 2008|publisher=MTV|access-date=4 December 2008}}{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604545/20090208/story.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215063113/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604545/20090208/story.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 February 2009|title=Grammy 2009 Winners List|author=|date=8 February 2009|publisher=MTV|access-date=21 February 2009}} This song also won the Ivor Novello Award for "Best Selling British Single".{{cite web|url=http://theivors.com/winners.htm |title=Nominations for the Ivor Novello Awards |publisher=Theivors.com |date=20 May 2010 |access-date=29 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090424060523/http://www.theivors.com/winners.htm |archive-date=24 April 2009 }} The song was included in Rolling Stone's annual "100 Best Songs" of 2008 at number nine;{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24947047/the_100_best_singles_of_2008/3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227163225/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24947047/the_100_best_singles_of_2008/3|archive-date=27 December 2008|title=The 100 Best Songs of 2008|access-date=25 December 2008|date=25 December 2008|magazine=Rolling Stone|page=3}} it was also voted number two on Rolling Stone's Readers' Rock List: Best Songs of 2008.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/12/22/readers-rock-list-best-songs-of-2008/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223220647/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/12/22/readers-rock-list-best-songs-of-2008/|archive-date=23 December 2008|title=Readers Rock List Best Songs of 2008|access-date=20 March 2009|date=22 December 2008|magazine=Rolling Stone}} "Viva la Vida" was also listed at number five on Blender's 1001 Downloads: The Top 144 Songs of 2008,{{cite news|url=http://www.blender.co/articles/default.aspx?key=45697&pg=9|title=The Top 144 Songs of 2008|access-date=20 March 2009|work=Blender|page=9}} as well in the number eight position on Village Voice's Pazz and Jop list.{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2008/|title=Pazz and Jop list|access-date=20 March 2009|work=The Village Voice|archive-date=16 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016184236/http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2008/|url-status=dead}} "Viva la Vida" has been sampled in several other songs, including Flo Rida's "Be on You", Mac Miller's "Cut the Check" featuring Chief Keef and Drake's "Congratulations" from his So Far Gone mixtape. In 2019, Billboard ranked the song number seven on their list of the 50 greatest Coldplay songs.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/coldplay-songs-best-top-50-8544382/|title=The 50 Best Coldplay Songs: Staff Picks|magazine=Billboard|date=November 21, 2019|access-date=February 26, 2022}} In 2021, American Songwriter ranked the song number one on their list of the 10 greatest Coldplay songs.{{cite web|url=https://americansongwriter.com/top-10-coldplay-songs/|title=Top 10 Coldplay Songs|first=Anna|last=D'Amico|work=American Songwriter|date=December 9, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2022}}

"Viva la Vida" became Coldplay's highest charting single. Fueled by digital sales,{{cite magazine |last=Cohen |first=Jonathan |date=19 June 2008 |title=Digital Sales Drive Coldplay To Top Of Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045034/digital-sales-drive-coldplay-to-top-of-hot-100 |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628102709/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045034/digital-sales-drive-coldplay-to-top-of-hot-100 |archive-date=28 June 2014 |access-date=3 January 2009}} the song was their first to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and their second to enter the Top 10 in the United States.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045040/coldplay-headed-to-no-1-on-billboard-200-hot-100 |title=Coldplay Headed To No. 1 On Billboard 200, Hot 100 |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=18 June 2008 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=3 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625095349/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045040/coldplay-headed-to-no-1-on-billboard-200-hot-100 |archive-date=25 June 2014 }} It was the first song by a British act to reach number one in the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously since Rod Stewart's "Maggie May", released in 1971.{{Cite web |date=23 June 2008 |title=Coldplay Top Singles and Albums Charts in a Week of Firsts |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/coldplay-top-singles-and-albums-charts-in-a-week-of-firsts-pwfxfmqfswh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210821110909/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coldplay-top-singles-and-albums-charts-in-a-week-of-firsts-pwfxfmqfswh |archive-date=21 August 2021 |access-date=15 September 2023 |website=The Times}} "Viva la Vida" also went on to become the band's highest-charting single in American radio, becoming their first top-ten hit on the Hot 100 Airplay where it peaked at number eight.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2009-01-03/radio-songs |title=Hot 100 Airplay: Viva la Vida |year=2009 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=3 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628095653/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2009-01-03/radio-songs |archive-date=28 June 2014 }} Similarly, it was their first number-one single on Billboard{{'s}} Modern Rock Tracks chart.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=coldplay|chart=all}}|title= Artist Chart History – Coldplay|access-date=2 September 2008|magazine=Billboard}} On the Billboard Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks, the song has become the band's first number one, as well as the first single on the Capitol label to ever top the chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/chart_beat/bonus.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051031011015/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/chart_beat/bonus.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 October 2005|title=Billboard Chart Beat|access-date=11 November 2008|magazine=Billboard}} The single has been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&title=viva%20la%20vida&format=SINGLE&sort=Artist&perPage=25|title=Gold & Platinum: Search Results|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=28 March 2009}} The song also became one of the first six tracks to reach the 4 million mark in paid digital downloads.{{cite web|title=Week Ending Aug. 16, 2009: King Of Country Boots King Of Pop – Chart Watch|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/41000/week-ending-aug-16-2009-king-of-country-boots-king-of-pop/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827082907/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/41000/week-ending-aug-16-2009-king-of-country-boots-king-of-pop|archive-date=27 August 2009|access-date=29 August 2010|publisher=New.music.yahoo.com}}

The single was also successful in the United Kingdom. Although the song had been disqualified from the UK charts due to initially being available only by pre-ordering the album on iTunes, it became eligible to chart after the album was released. "Viva la Vida" hit number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Coldplay's first chart-topping single in the UK.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045007/coldplay-dominates-uk-album-singles-charts |title=Coldplay Dominates U.K. Album, Singles Charts |last=Sexton |first=Paul |date=23 June 2008 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=5 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140624002122/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045007/coldplay-dominates-uk-album-singles-charts |archive-date=24 June 2014 }}

In Canada, the single made a "Hot Shot Debut" at number four on the Canadian Hot 100 on the issue of 24 May, making it Coldplay's highest debut there.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-05-24/canadian-hot-100 |title=Canadian Hot 100 |access-date=22 January 2008 |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621020201/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-05-24/canadian-hot-100 |archive-date=21 June 2013 }} It is also one of Coldplay's three highest-charting singles in Australia, reaching number two (both "A Sky Full of Stars" and "Something Just Like This" matched this peak in 2014 and 2017, respectively). In the week starting 27 November 2023, the single once again returned to the same charts, entering at number 28.{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2023-11-27|title=ARIA Top 50 Singles for week of 27 November 2023|publisher=ARIA Charts|date=24 November 2023|accessdate=24 November 2023}} In New Zealand, the song was less successful, only peaking at number 16; however, the song stayed in the top 40 for 27 non-consecutive weeks. In Spain, the single peaked at No. 2 and achieved Triple Platinum status due to the 120,000 copies sold. It also had a strong airplay on the Spanish radio stations.

{{More citations needed section|date=February 2013}}

File:Chris-Martin-BBC-live.jpg]]

During the 2008–09 season, the German football club Hamburger SV used "Viva la Vida" as their goal celebration song.

It's also the goal celebration song of the German football club Hannover 96.

The song also became the anthem of Spanish football club FC Barcelona starting in the 2008–09 season. It turned out to be a season of unprecedented success for the Spanish club in 2009, as they won all six competitions they could possibly be involved in, which no football club has managed before in history. The song was selected by the manager of the club, Pep Guardiola – himself a Coldplay fan – to help motivate and encourage his team. It was often played at the Camp Nou before the start of a Barcelona match. The song was also played during Pep Guardiola's farewell before his final match coaching Barcelona at the Nou Camp, a 4–0 victory against Espanyol on 5 May 2012.{{Cite web |date=May 6, 2012 |title=Farewell match of FC Barcelona Manager Pep Guardiola against Espanyol |url=https://www.catalannews.com/sports/item/fc-barcelona-vs-espanyol-guardiola-was-farewelled-with-four-goals-by-messi-4-0 |access-date= |website=Catalan News}} The song was also played on Gerard Pique's final game at the Camp Nou on November 5, 2022, marking the end of his 25-year-long career with FC Barcelona.

UEFA used "Viva la Vida" as the goal celebration song for the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final{{cite news|last=Luckhurst|first=Samuel|title=Chelsea Beat Bayern Munich In Champions League Final On Penalties (GALLERY)|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/05/19/bayern-munich-champions-league-final-2012_n_1529815.html|work=Huffington Post|access-date=15 February 2013|date=19 May 2012}} and Europa League Final.

The National Hockey League's New York Rangers played "Viva la Vida" at Madison Square Garden after victories during the 2011 season.{{cite web|title=New York Rangers -- Sounds of the Game|url=http://rangers.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=68601|publisher=nhl.com|access-date=15 February 2013}}

The song was used by the Vancouver Canucks in a tribute video during Markus Näslund's number retirement ceremony held in Vancouver's Rogers Arena. It was also used in Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals when the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup on Vancouver Ice.

The Kansas City Chiefs play the song at the end of home games in Arrowhead Stadium. Additionally, it is also used by the Kansas City Royals to celebrate home runs and wins at Kauffman Stadium.

This was the at-bat music of Scott Rolen, former third baseman of the Cincinnati Reds.

The song was also used pre-match during every 2008 Rugby League World Cup game before the two teams took to the field and in the band's Super Bowl 50 halftime show in 2016 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It was used at 2020 Tokyo Olympics as victory song when Canada Women's National Soccer Team won gold medal on August 6, 2021, the song was also used in a music video to honour Phil Taylor in his retirement at the 2018 PDC World Darts Championship.

Coldplay were first accused of plagiarism for the melody of "Viva la Vida" by American band Creaky Boards.{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Guy |date=19 June 2008 |title=The song they didn't write? Coldplay are accused of plagiarism by American band |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/the-song-they-didnt-write-coldplay-are-accused-of-plagiarism-by-american-band-849992.html |access-date=11 November 2008 |work=The Independent}} Singer Andrew Hoepfner, claimed that Martin had heard them playing their piece "The Songs I Didn't Write" at a live show in October 2007.{{cite news |date=16 June 2008 |title=Coldplay: Viva la Vida' not copied from Brooklyn band |url=https://www.nme.com/news/coldplay/37396 |access-date=5 December 2008 |work=NME}} They also published a video comparing sections of both tracks. A spokesperson for Coldplay stated that Martin was working at AIR Studios in London at the time.{{cite news|first=Nicole|last=Martin|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2163625/Coldplay-didn't-copy-us,-says-American-band.html|title=Coldplay didn't copy us, says American band|access-date=26 September 2020|date=20 June 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721051636/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2163625/Coldplay-didn't-copy-us,-says-American-band.html|archive-date=21 July 2008}} Additionally, a demo of "Viva la Vida" was recorded in March 2007. Creaky Boards later retracted the accusations and speculated that both songs may have been inspired by the video game The Legend of Zelda.

In December 2008, American guitarist Joe Satriani filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Coldplay in Los Angeles.{{cite web |date=4 December 2008 |title=Joe Satriani Sues Coldplay |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/joe-satriani-sues-coldplay-185735 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241117032810/https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/joe-satriani-sues-coldplay-185735 |archive-date=17 November 2024 |access-date=17 November 2024 |website=17 November 2024 |publisher=Music Radar}} It declared that "Viva la Vida" incorporates "substantial, original portions" of his composition "If I Could Fly", from Is There Love in Space? (2004).{{cite news|last=Goodman|first=Dan|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUKTRE4B40XV20081205|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206033320/http://uk.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUKTRE4B40XV20081205|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 December 2008|title=Guitarist accuses Coldplay of plagiarism|work=Reuters|date=5 December 2008|access-date=5 December 2008}} The band denied the allegation, saying the similarities were entirely coincidental.{{cite web |url=http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=242 |title=Joe Satriani |publisher=Coldplay |access-date=10 December 2008 |date=9 October 2008 |archive-date=18 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018101517/http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=242 |url-status=dead }} The case was later dismissed by the California Central District Court,{{Cite magazine |date=15 September 2009 |title=Coldplay, Satriani Copyright Lawsuit Dismissed |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/coldplay-satriani-copyright-lawsuit-dismissed-267388/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241117040305/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/coldplay-satriani-copyright-lawsuit-dismissed-267388/ |archive-date=17 November 2024 |access-date=17 November 2024 |magazine=Billboard}} with each party paying their own costs.{{Cite web |date=15 September 2009 |title=Coldplay's Joe Satriani Lawsuit Dismissed from Court |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-346-1309826 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241117041440/https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-346-1309826 |archive-date=17 November 2024 |access-date=17 November 2024 |website=NME}}

In May 2009, British musician Cat Stevens stated that "Viva la Vida" is similar to "Foreigner Suite" (1973), comparing them after talking with his son about it.{{Cite magazine |date=5 May 2009 |title=Cat Stevens May Sue Coldplay: It Depends On How Well Satriani Does |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/cat-stevens-may-sue-coldplay-it-depends-on-how-well-satriani-does-268724/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241117042416/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/cat-stevens-may-sue-coldplay-it-depends-on-how-well-satriani-does-268724/ |archive-date=17 November 2024 |access-date=17 November 2024 |magazine=Billboard}} Stevens informed that any legal action he intended to take depended "on how well Satriani does". In June 2009, he claimed that "They did copy my song but I don't think they did it on purpose [...] I don't want them to think I am angry with them. I'd love to sit down and have a cup of tea with them and let them know it's okay".{{cite web |date=14 June 2009 |title=Cat Stevens Eager to Make Peace with Coldplay |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/cat_stevens_eager_to_make_peace_with_coldplay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241117043026/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/cat_stevens_eager_to_make_peace_with_coldplay |archive-date=17 November 2024 |access-date=17 November 2024 |website=Exclaim}}

In a documentary for Sveriges Television (2011), American music professor Dr. Lawrence Ferrara showed that the melody structures of "Viva la Vida", "If I Could Fly" and "Foreigner Suite" were all similar to the track "Se Tu M'Ami", which has its authorship attributed to Italian composers Alessandro Parisotti and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.Glenn Paton, John (1991). "26 Italian Songs and Arias: An Authoritative Edition Based on Authentic Sources". Alfred Publishing. The latter died in 1736.{{Cite web |date=9 January 2018 |title=10 Famous Cases of Alleged Music Plagiarism |url=https://consequence.net/2018/01/10-famous-instances-of-alleged-music-plagiarism/ |access-date=22 May 2021 |website=Consequence |language=en-US}} "Obviously this is a work that we would call in the 'public domain'", Ferrara concluded.{{cite web |url=http://svtplay.se/v/2659819/hitlatens_historia/coldplay_-_viva_la_vida |title=Coldplay – Viva la Vida – Hitlåtens historia episode 1, 20:38 – 23:34 |publisher=SVT Play |date=27 December 2011 |access-date=8 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110160526/http://svtplay.se/v/2659819/hitlatens_historia/coldplay_-_viva_la_vida |archive-date=10 January 2012 }} Discussing the accusations, drummer Champion stated that "We're confident we haven't done anything wrong" and "for some reason, God only knows why, the successful songs seem to be the ones that are accused of being stolen".{{cite news |date=18 May 2009 |title=Coldplay Takes Its Music Into New Territory |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2009/05/coldplay-takes-its-music-new-territory |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010141208/http://hamptonroads.com/2009/05/coldplay-takes-its-music-new-territory |archive-date=10 October 2012 |access-date=17 November 2024 |newspaper=Hampton Roads}} Martin later revealed that the plagiarism allegations were inspiring to him: "If everyone's trying to take away our best song, then we'd better write 25 better ones".{{cite web |date=11 March 2010 |title=Coldplay's Chris Martin Inspired by Plagiarism Lawsuit |url=https://americansongwriter.com/coldplays-chris-martin-inspired-by-plagiarism-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241117045008/https://americansongwriter.com/coldplays-chris-martin-inspired-by-plagiarism-lawsuit/ |archive-date=17 November 2024 |access-date=17 November 2024 |website=American Songwriter}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download

| title1 = Viva la Vida

| length1 = 4:04

| note1 = new edit

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = CD single

| title1 = Viva la Vida

| length1 = 4:01

| note1 =

| title2 = Death Will Never Conquer

| length2 = 1:18

| note2 =

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Promotional CD single

| title1 = Viva la Vida

| length1 = 3:45

| note1 = radio edit

| title2 = Viva la Vida

| length2 = 4:01

| note2 = album version

}}

• Chris Martin – composer, performer
• Guy Berryman – composer, performer
• Jonny Buckland – composer, performer
• Will Champion – composer, performer

;Additional personnel

• Brian Eno – sonic landscapes
• Mike Kezner – sitar
• Davide Rossi – strings

File:Lost? (+Jay-Z) - Viva La Vida (Live At the 51st Annual Grammy Awards).jpg

The song and "Lost+" were performed live at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, which took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on 8 February 2009. Coldplay performed a medley of "Lost+" and "Viva la Vida" at the ceremony. American rapper Jay-Z, who was the guest vocalist on "Lost+", performed "Lost+" with Coldplay onstage. The performance was recorded and released on 8 February 2009.

;Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline = Lost+ (featuring Jay-Z) / Viva la Vida (Live At the 51st Annual Grammy Awards)

|title1 = Lost+ (featuring Jay-Z) / Viva la Vida

|length1 = 5:35

|title2 = Lost+ (featuring Jay-Z) / Viva la Vida

|note2 = Video

|length2 =5:35

}}

{{clear}}

{{See also|List of cover versions of Coldplay songs}}

Swedish singer Darin's cover of the song reached number 1 on 30 October 2009 on the Swedish Singles Chart[http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Darin&titel=Viva+La+Vida&cat=s Darin's Viva la vida on swecharts.com] retrieved on 14 November 2009. and was certified Gold by the GLF in 2010.{{cite certification|region=Sweden|certyear=2010}} The song appears on Darin's 2010 album Lovekiller. In 2010, it was yet again included as the B-side of Darin's "You're Out of My Life" single, reaching No. 3 in the Swedish Singles Chart. Coldplay's original single had already charted in Sweden for a total of 49 weeks between 15 May 2008 and 23 October 2009, peaking at number seven.[http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Coldplay&titel=Viva+la+vida&cat=s Coldplay's Viva la vida on swecharts.com] retrieved on 14 November 2009. Weezer recorded a cover of the song for the deluxe version of their 2010 album Hurley.

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Viva la Vida"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=9|title=Viva la Vida|artist=Coldplay|type=single|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|access-date=16 April 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|relmonth=7|relday=25|certyear=2011|certmonth=6|access-date=12 March 2016|nosales=true}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|access-date=12 June 2024|digital=true|note=DMS}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|access-date=12 June 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2008|certyear=2023|id=12858|access-date=23 September 2023|digital=true}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|type=single|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2010|salesamount=5,875|access-date=20 December 2020}}

{{certification Table Entry|region=Germany|certyear=2022|relyear=2008|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|access-date=22 November 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|nocert=true|salesamount=30,000|access-date=January 10, 2015|salesref={{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7267.pdf |title=FIMI Annual Digital Sales Report - 2008|publisher=Federation of the Italian Music Industry |access-date=October 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125084131/http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7267.pdf |archive-date=January 25, 2016 }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|note=Sales since 2009|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|award=Platinum|number=5|type=single|access-date=9 December 2024|id=13718}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|artist=Coldplay|title=Beautiful Life|award=Gold|digital=true|relyear=2008|certmonth=2|certyear=2009|note=PC download|access-date=25 April 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|number=6|type=single|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|access-date=30 November 2024|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|certref={{Cite web |title=Official Catalogue Singles: 20–26 December 2024|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/catalogue-singles/2024-12-20 |publisher=Official New Zealand Music Chart |access-date=20 December 2024 |date=20 December 2024}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|award=Platinum|number=6|type=single|relyear=2008|certyear=2025|id=file_2025-01-15-16-50-27.pdf|access-date=18 January 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|award=Platinum|number=8|type=single|relyear=2008|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|relmonth=5|certyear=2024|id=coldplay-viva-la-vida-2|access-date=August 26, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|access-date=25 March 2016|certyear=2009|relyear=2008}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=6|certyear=2025|relyear=2008|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Viva|id=8001-1754-1|access-date=3 January 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|number=5|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|relyear=2008|certyear=2023|digital=true|salesamount=5,000,000^{{{double dagger}}} / 6,131,000|salesref={{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/music-news/chart-watch-radioactive-sets-rock-record-001439867.html|title=Chart Watch: "Radioactive" Sets A Rock Record|first=Paul|last=Grein|work=Yahoo! Entertainment|date=2 January 2014|access-date=22 January 2023}}}}

{{Certification Table Separator|title=Ringtone}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|title=Viva la Vida|artist=Coldplay|type=ringtone|award=Gold|access-date=23 December 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=ringtone|artist=Coldplay|title=Beautiful Life|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certmonth=9|certyear=2008|access-date=25 April 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|award=Gold|type=ringtone|relyear=2008|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|certyear=2008|certweek=52|access-date=17 June 2022}}

{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la Vida|award=Platinum|type=single|certyear=2023|relyear=2008|access-date=July 21, 2024|certref={{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 37/2023 |url=https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920061727/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2024 |website=IFPI Greece}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|streamsonly=true}}

{{col div}}

• List of best-selling singles
• List of best-selling singles in Germany
• List of best-selling singles in Italy
• List of best-selling singles in Spain
• List of best-selling singles in the United States
• List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 2008
• List of number-one songs of 2008 (Mexico)
• List of number-one singles of 2008 (Netherlands)
• List of number-one songs of 2024 (Singapore)
• List of top 10 singles for 2008 in Australia
• List of top 10 singles in 2008 (Ireland)
• List of number-one songs of the 2000s (Slovakia)
• List of number-one singles of the 2000s (Sweden)
• List of UK singles chart number ones of the 2000s

{{col div end}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/Viva-la-Vida,-1954.html Frida Kahlo's "Viva la Vida"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612004422/http://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/Viva-la-Vida,-1954.html |date=12 June 2017 }}

{{Coldplay songs}}

{{Grammy Award for Song of the Year 2000s}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2008 songs

Category:2008 singles

Category:2000s ballads

Category:Coldplay songs

Category:Grammy Award for Song of the Year

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles

Category:Music videos directed by Anton Corbijn

Category:Music videos directed by Hype Williams

Category:Number-one singles in Singapore

Category:Number-one singles in Sweden

Category:Parlophone singles

Category:Capitol Records singles

Category:Universal Music Group singles

Category:Cultural depictions of Louis XVI

Category:Song recordings produced by Brian Eno

Category:Song recordings produced by Jon Hopkins

Category:Song recordings produced by Markus Dravs

Category:Song recordings produced by Rik Simpson

Category:Songs about kings

Category:Songs about religion

Category:Songs about revolutions

Category:Songs written by Chris Martin

Category:Songs written by Jonny Buckland

Category:Songs written by Guy Berryman

Category:Songs written by Will Champion

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Torch songs

Category:Songs involved in plagiarism controversies

Category:Rock ballads

Category:Baroque pop songs